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@jks3uphoria
3 answers, 15 votes
 • a year ago •
Admissions Advice

Is Calculus AB or AP Statistics more important for a business/marketing intended major?
Answered

I'm going to be a senior next year, and I want to major in business, specifically an area related to marketing and international business. I'm not sure if I should take Calculus AB or AP Statistics.

I'm currently in pre calc (math analysis) right now, and my school offers honors for pre calc but I didn't take it because I felt like it was going to be too hard for me as our courses are taught at a pretty fast pace. It's already second semester but I feel like everything I've learned in math analysis has been review from Algebra 2 honors so far, therefore I haven't learned anything new. I don't know if I'll have enough foundations to take Calculus AB, but it seems to be really important in college.

Thank you in advance!

APStatistics
apcalcab
risingsenior
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3 answers

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Accepted Answer
@AlexanderOddo
expert
965 answers, 641 votes
 • a year ago

AP Stats is more important for business and especially marketing majors. Statistics concepts are used in nearly every role in the business world, whereas the same cannot be said for calculus. AP Stats will allow you to develop your spike, and it is more likely to be a boost to your GPA than AP Calc.

You are correct to be concerned about course rigor. While earning a good grade in AP Calc will be seen as more impressive by colleges than taking AP Stats, this small admissions benefit is not worth those midnight struggles with AP Calc homework unless you want to major in STEM. Doing well in AP Stats and a few AP science classes will give you all the rigor and well-roundedness you need in your course load.

Hope this helps!

0
[🎤 AUTHOR]@jks3uphoriaa year ago

Thank you so much! I'm currently taking AP Biology now and I'm getting a B, but I have taken Biology and Chemistry Honors and both passed with an A in freshmen and sophomore year. I don't think I'll be taking another science in senior year though, so I'm not sure if only one AP science class is enough.

@AlexanderOddo
expert
a year ago

A combination of AP Stats and AP Bio will be enough. AP Micro or Macro would be more beneficial for you to take if you have not done so already. Since both classes are social science subjects, they will partially give you points for AP STEM rigor too.

[🎤 AUTHOR]@jks3uphoriaa year ago

I'll be taking AP micro and macro next year, and I wasn't sure if I should take APES as well, but I don't want to overload myself as my schedule next year is going to be AP Lit, AP German, AP Econ, AP Stats, a band class, and marching band.

@AlexanderOddo
expert
a year ago

@jks3uphoria I do not think that APES will help you much. Your transcript will be balanced enough with science classes after you finish AP Bio. More time to do well during your rigorous upcoming school year will be more beneficial.

0
@CameronBameron
2,281 answers, 8,539 votes
 • a year ago

As a business major you are not going to use any Calculus unless you are a finance major and taking a junior/senior level class in financial derivatives like options/futures/other instruments. Statistics will come in handy for most other business majors. Hopefully, if you do really well and get a 4 or 5 on the AP exam, you can place out of one of the core Stats classes. In addition, taking Stats is generally much easier than Calculus. If you are a super smart student with a 4.0 and high SAT/ACT already, then you might want to consider taking both courses. Otherwise, I would pick Stats over Calculus as an intended business major. Good luck.

0
[🎤 AUTHOR]@jks3uphoriaa year ago

Thank you! Your response helped me a lot. I’m not planning in going into the finance or accounting field, but I feel like colleges might want you to take calculus..? I want to apply to UCs and a few privates outside of California and I’m not sure if it would be better to enter with having already taken calc or stats. I also don’t really have enough space in my schedule next year to take both classes, so it’s a hard choice for me.

0
@leon
24 answers, 96 votes
 • a year ago

Take AP Stats but both if your schedule allows for it.

0
@gab24601a year ago [edited]

Hey, Iwas in the same boat as you: I am a junior taking normal precalc. Calculus can be a more overarching subject, so if you’re still unsure of the major you want, it might be a good to take it. It also useful in the hard sciences like chemistry or physics. Stats I think thought would really come in handy for a business major. It’s also less difficult because you can take stats after algebra 2. I would suggest asking your teacher what they think too since they have experience with you in class!

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